Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in San Diego-Carlsbad is 2,790.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in San Diego-Carlsbad earn an average of $53,090 per year or $25.52 per hour.
  • The percentage of California Substance Abuse Counselors who work in San Diego-Carlsbad is 8%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in San Diego-Carlsbad is 1%.

Rankings for San Diego-Carlsbad

  • Ranks #23 in California for salary and #2 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #4 in California for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #170 in the nation for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #23 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to California

San Diego-Carlsbad Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $53,090 or $25.52 per hour which is 11% less than the California average salary of $59,790.

AverageSan Diego-CarlsbadCalifornia% Difference
Hourly Wage$25.52$28.74-11.20%
Annual Salary$53,090$59,790-11.21%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

San Diego-Carlsbad Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $53,090 or $25.52 per hour which is 0% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageSan Diego-CarlsbadU.S.%
Hourly Wage$25.52$25.72-0.78%
Annual Salary$53,090$53,490-0.75%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Substance Abuse Counselors in San Diego-Carlsbad earns an average annual salary of $46,821 which compares to the California average annual salary of $59,790. per year.

Cost-of-living in San Diego-Carlsbad is 13% higher than the California average, which means San Diego-Carlsbad residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to California average.

  • California average salary is $59,790.
  • California cost-of-living adjusted salary is $54,167.
  • San Diego-Carlsbad average salary is $53,090.
  • San Diego-Carlsbad cost-of-living adjusted salary is $46,821.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
San Diego-Carlsbad$53,090113.39%$46,821
California$59,790110.38%$54,167
U.S.$53,490$53,490
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In San Diego-Carlsbad, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $38,180 and $61,660 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn more than $80,540, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $36,280, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year279Under $36,280
15%2 – 4 years418$36,280 – $38,180
25%5 – 9 years698$38,180 – $47,310
25%10 – 14 years698$47,310 – $61,660
15%15 – 20 years418$47,310 – $80,540
10%20+ years279Above $80,540
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $53,090, San Diego-Carlsbad Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($136,630), Psychology Teachers ($110,410), Forensic Psychologists ($105,610), School Psychologists ($97,320), Health Care Social Workers ($76,400), and Social Workers ($59,790).

However, Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($52,340).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$136,630
Psychology Teachers$110,410
Forensic Psychologists$105,610
School Psychologists$97,320
Health Care Social Workers$76,400
Social Workers$59,790
Substance Abuse Counselors$53,090
Marriage and Family Therapists$52,340
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for San Diego-Carlsbad Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in San Diego-Carlsbad is 2,790.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $53,090 per year or $25.52 per hour in San Diego-Carlsbad.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in San Diego-Carlsbad Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $46,821 per year or $23 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in San Diego-Carlsbad are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($136,630), Psychology Teachers($110,410), Forensic Psychologists($105,610).


Additional Salary Reports for Substance Abuse Counselors in California cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Substance Abuse Counselors: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data